Do you know how to keep food and water for your sheltered animals safe and the animals healthy?1.True or False:Waste water in individual kennels can be poured into: A sink, a labeled waste water bucket or an empty watering can that is also used for serving clean water.

2.True or False.To fill dry food bowls in individual kennels, it is OK to use: A scoop, a partially-filled kennel bowl that needs food added, or a disposable bowl reserved for use as a scoop.

(Extra credit:Explain why any of the possible answers in #1 and #2 are not appropriate, then click 'Read More' below:

1.Disposing of waste water:

Into a sink—Yes, IF the sink is cleaned and sanitized afterwards, before being used for other tasks like hand washing.If a mop sink or laundry sink is available, that is a better location than a hand-washing sink.

Into a waste water bucket—Yes, and make sure it is labeled ‘Waste Water ONLY’Wash and sanitize the bucket daily, or as required by your state’s rules.

Into an empty watering can, also used for serving clean water?NOPE!Even if it were possible to clean and sanitize the watering can, the chances of contaminating the other animals’ water is too great.If your ‘drinking water’ watering can has been used in this way, consider taking it out of service and getting a new one, labeled ‘Clean Water ONLY!’

2. Filling dry food bowls:

A scoop—Yes, scoops are handy for getting food into pet feeding dishes.If the scoop is kept inside the airtight container with dry food, it will be easy to find and use.Wash and sanitize the scoop as needed.

A partially-filled kennel bowl that needs food added—NO WAY!Any disease organisms remaining on the bowl come into contact with the top layers of the stored food, contaminating it.

A disposable bowl reserved for use as a scoop—Yes. An advantage to disposables in kennel care is that they can be discarded and replaced when soiled by crumbs or oils in the dry food.

We can do better for our animals in group care!Clean is clean, dirty is dirty…..and ‘never the twain shall meet!’That’s my goal, anyway, and I’m pretty militant about it!